Blog Archive

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

A football star facing deportation to his native Sierra Leone has appealed against the decision at an asylum and immigration tribunal.

Watford FC midfield player Al Bangura appeared at an appeal hearing in Hatton Cross today, backed by his manager, Adrian Boothroyd.

Boothroyd told the tribunal that deportation would spell professional disaster for the talented player and likened the move to Frank Sinatra singing at Batley Frontier Club in West Yorkshire.

He said: "If he were to go back there it would be an absolute disaster for him professionally.

"Al is a very, very big talent, apart from being a decent young man. "Playing at that level would be a massive backward step ... unrecoverable, in my opinion.

"He would go there and never be heard of again."

The 19-year-old came to the UK from Africa seeking asylum almost four years ago and was granted limited discretionary leave to remain.

It was claimed that Bangura, who has captained Watford, had fled witchcraft and threats to mutilate him in Sierra Leone. He then escaped his human traffickers while in London.

A further application to regularise his status was rejected, however.

Watford Labour MP Claire Ward is backing his case. Asked about the possibility of Bangura obtaining a work permit, Boothroyd later said it was a lot easier to get players into the system if you were one of the "top four" clubs - Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea.

He said he wondered if "we would all be sat here" if a different club were involved. Boothroyd said of Bangura: "He tells the truth. He's got no reason not to tell the truth.

"He's an honourable guy. I think that we should give him the justice that he deserves."

He described Bangura as a hungry player with an infectious smile and enthusiasm for the game. Bangura, who earns a six-figure salary with the club, is expecting a baby with his girlfriend. They live together in a large Hertfordshire home.

Bangura escaped trafficking, witchcraft and threats to mutilate him in Sierra Leone before he found success at football in the UK.

He told the hearing that he had undergone therapy for nightmares about people chasing him and trying to "do something bad to me".

He said he had not contacted his family in Sierra Leone since his arrival in the UK.

"I have tried to but I don't really know how to get hold of them," he said.

But Nicholas Jariwalla, cross-examining, accused Bangura of lying about having contact with his family.

He was also accused of offering different accounts of how he arrived in the UK.

The hearing was told that one account involved two men trying to assault him but in an interview he said he had met an uncle named Eric in Paris. Bangura told the court that the man was not his uncle, adding: "That was my first interview. It was a really sad moment and embarrassing moment for me, that's all I can say."

Sanjay Lal, representing Bangura, said it was accepted that he had been trafficked to the UK. Bangura's girlfriend, 21-year-old Yabom Foona, came to the UK from Sierra Leone herself when she was seven-years-old.

She said she would not return there with the footballer if he had to go and she is applying for British citizenship.

"I have got a son to consider - my baby," she told the hearing. "Sierra Leone is not a place I would want to take my son."

Iain Moody, football operations manager for Watford FC, said the player was "clearly popular" with fans who had dedicated songs and websites to him.

He said Bangura carried out a lot of community work and that if he could legally be permitted to remain in the UK, the club would seek to retain his registration. Watford has already offered the player a contract until 2009.

Senior Immigration Judge Michael Clements reserved judgment and said a decision would be sent out within next 28 days.

The judge said he was not a follower of Watford or any other football club. He told the hearing: "You have enlightened me to football. I might watch a match. I might not. You never know."

After the hearing, Bangura's legal team said his case was "truly exceptional" and sent a message to children who had been trafficked.

His spokesman said: "He has established a family life. He is a talented footballer and taxpayer."